The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy on Dec. 12 said exports this year through Dec. 10 a 7 p.m. reached USD 644.4 billion, up 6.8% from the same period last year. Shown is Busan New Port in the port city’s Gangseo-gu District. (Yonhap News)

By Yoo Yeon Gyeong

Annual export volume has broken a record high for the second straight year.

The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy on Dec. 12 said overseas shipments this year from Jan. 1 to Dec. 10 at 7 a.m. rose 6.8% to USD 644.4 billion, surpassing the figure from the same period last year. 

The ministry forecast for this year's exports is over USD 680 billion.

Korea previously set annual export highs in 2017 (USD 573.7 billion), 2018 (USD 604.9 billion) and 2021 (USD 644.4 billion).

dusrud21@korea.kr